[MaximusJ]

Anybody here use handstraps?

I find the Nikon AH4 got a pretty cool design.



I have to get better support. D800/70-200 with battery grip is one hell of a heavy setup after 3-4 hours with barely any rest. But the events I will be covering this summer are over weekends, about 8h a day.

The grip gives me an extra fps; two in DX mode and a dual battery setup lasts me a whole weekend. So I dont want to ditch the grip; but dont want to ruin my wrist either.

I know there isnt much Nikon lovers here, but anybody got great results with this kinda support? I know opTech makes one too, but I like Nikon's leather and plastic clip design.

[M_Six]

I use wrist straps. Not quite the same, but neck straps just don't do it for me. I have a sling, too, but rarely use it. I'm looking into a dual camera setup like a Spider Pro or Cotton Carrier for having two rigs at hand when I go birding.

[MaximusJ]

Same for me for neck straps.

I got a spider replica which is perfect for walking without holding the camera, but sometimes, I prefer to be ready to shoot at any time. Takes a couple seconds to pull the camera out and shoot.

Besides, during a paintball game/practice, I wear my paint protection sleeve which covers both hands, body and whole lens. As delivered, its not compatible with the spider. But would take a second to cut it to make it compatible.

And i just dont trust slings with battery grips.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

And i just dont trust slings with battery grips.

One reason I rarely use. I keep having to check that it's secured properly.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by M_Six

One reason I rarely use. I keep having to check that it's secured properly.

Exactly; and I end up more concentrated on that then what I see.

Useless stress.

[Seminole]

For those Cannon coffee drinkers: http://nomorerack.com/daily_deals/vi...2&overlay=true

[Itsed65]

I got one one of those for Christmas this year. It looks nice but is actaully a pretty crappy mug

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

I got one one of those for Christmas this year. It looks nice but is actaully a pretty crappy mug

Yup, I got the Nikon version and its really not a good thermos. Coffee gets cold as fast as if it would be in a cup. Besides, the open slit in the cover is very small and the lid is leaking....

Happened twice to me at work... Never again.

Now its a dust-collector in my office... A pretty cool one tho


There's the red bull crashed ice race in town this weekend. I'm kinda sad because I cant go to the finals since UFC's in Montreal and my man GSP is fighting. But will do all I can to at least go snap the prelims on friday night.

[MaximusJ]

Got my lensbaby composer pro double glass today.

First impression: Really amazed by the optics quality for a $250 lens. Also, changing the aperture ring is made in seconds and is actually very easy. Its done in the front of the lens, you don't need to remove the lens from the body every time.

The softspot around your focus point get very blurry; and at 2.8, the bokeh is just lovely; very creamy.

Two big plusses, the nikon 2x converter can be attached to convert it to a 100mm focal and extension tubes can also be attached to shorten the minimal focus distance, which is around a foot without any ET.

This lens will definitely put my manual focus skills to work since the focus ring is very delicate and if you miss your focus sweet spot by a tiny bit, the shot is completely unusable. It requires a master skill to focus while being tilted, but i'm sure you get it faster and faster as your time spent shooting with this lens goes.

It'll be perfect for the project I got in mind.

[M_Six]

The SC ruled in favor of Kirtsaeng in this case. Your right to resell things you purchase, including copyrighted works, is still intact. Common sense prevails.


News stories of ruling:

Washington Post
Reuters
Publishers Weekly

Background on the case and how it could have affected more than textbooks.

[The1]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Anybody here use handstraps?

I find the Nikon AH4 got a pretty cool design.



I have to get better support. D800/70-200 with battery grip is one hell of a heavy setup after 3-4 hours with barely any rest. But the events I will be covering this summer are over weekends, about 8h a day.

The grip gives me an extra fps; two in DX mode and a dual battery setup lasts me a whole weekend. So I dont want to ditch the grip; but dont want to ruin my wrist either.

I know there isnt much Nikon lovers here, but anybody got great results with this kinda support? I know opTech makes one too, but I like Nikon's leather and plastic clip design.

I know this is long after your original quesion, but I'd recommend a monopod and put a swivel head on it. I watched lots of horse riding event photographers in action (8-10 hour days) and they carried a monopod and a small stool for between events

they didn't always use the monopod, but it came it handy to hold their position between riders sometimes, so if you find yourself set up near a wall or something that people keep frequenting while you're shooting, it might be nice to take a brake using the pod.

lots of anticipation involved in shooting sports. so when you're using a pod, it can be helpful.

[MaximusJ]

I might give it a try. I tried that setup once, but for slower action pace sports (Derby)

It sure can provide some rest, but i'm concerned about reaction time using a pod for paintball and mobility issues. I would have to detach the monopod everytime I want to take a ground level shot and adjust the height every time I want to make a change in the position. I think it would be very static and restrictive.

I ordered the grip; that combined to my spider holster between points should be good. Time will tell. But I keep that suggestion in mind. If I can find a swivel with a quick release type of thing; that could be an interesting option.

[The1]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

I might give it a try. I tried that setup once, but for slower action pace sports (Derby)

It sure can provide some rest, but i'm concerned about reaction time using a pod for paintball and mobility issues. I would have to detach the monopod everytime I want to take a ground level shot and adjust the height every time I want to make a change in the position. I think it would be very static and restrictive.

I ordered the grip; that combined to my spider holster between points should be good. Time will tell. But I keep that suggestion in mind. If I can find a swivel with a quick release type of thing; that could be an interesting option.

Yeah, I wouldn't even consider going that route without putting a head on it that has a quick release. It would leave you trapped. Nice thing about the monopod is you don't have to put it full height, so you can kind of just flick it around and reset back to position again. Or just lift it to your eye and put it down again. Just because the extra bulk isn't there.

Food for thought anyhow.

[The1]

Originally Posted by M_Six

The SC ruled in favor of Kirtsaeng in this case. Your right to resell things you purchase, including copyrighted works, is still intact. Common sense prevails.


News stories of ruling:

Washington Post
Reuters
Publishers Weekly

Background on the case and how it could have affected more than textbooks.

Interesting reading.

School would have been much easier back in the day if I could have found my textbooks online. eBay existed when I was in school, but it wasn't as handy as it is now.

[Weebl]

The only problem is that sometimes the pages don't match and the books can be printed on tissue paper.

[M_Six]

One year ago in my front yard.



Today



Utterly depressing.

[Weebl]

Spring will return, it always does.

[The1]

Uhgh, glad that will be gone before I start driving home.... At least I hope so....

[M_Six]

Nine inches on the ground and still snowing.

[MaximusJ]

Spring kick in over here! Its +8 celcius right now and it was around that yesterday. The snow bank melted for about 1 feet in front of my house.

I'm starting to see the spring board at the end of my pool and most of my fireplace's chimney is free of snow.

Getting there!

[M_Six]

We ended up with 10.5". The roads are fairly clear and it will melt fast enough. Spring storms aren't nearly as nasty as those in the depths of winter when the snow hangs around for weeks and blows all over the place. And this heavy, wet snow will go a long way towards recharging the soil moisture for the coming season.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by M_Six

We ended up with 10.5". The roads are fairly clear and it will melt fast enough. Spring storms aren't nearly as nasty as those in the depths of winter when the snow hangs around for weeks and blows all over the place. And this heavy, wet snow will go a long way towards recharging the soil moisture for the coming season.

But they are very depressing. You thought you were done with winter and then BAM.

Here, we always get a storm really close to Easter; as soon as its done; here comes the summer tires!

I got a 2200km round trip to do this weekend; and cant risk putting my summers on; Pretty sure my winters will be burnt when I get back home.

This is what I hate about this season; either you take a chance by changing the rubbers too soon; or you end up burning your tires because you didnt change them. Its a lose-lose situation.

I usually take the risk of changing them too soon and adapt my driving if I get surprised by some snow; but this year with the pregnant girl on board; I wont take that chance.